Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

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When they were halfway there, Yu Qingshuang and the slightly recovered Xie Dayou leaped among the trees and appeared in front of Chen Qing, "You guys quickly grab your things, those Lotus Cave disciples haven't left yet."

Chen Qing returned to his own cave dwelling, packed his belongings, and had Wang Ye and Li He help move things inside.

There wasn't much to keep hidden here, the Spirit Stones were stored at the Spirit Plant Elder's place, and that room was practically his exclusive space, with the keys in his possession.

He carried the mask closely, so there was no need to worry.

Upon returning to his new cave dwelling, except for the unopened Spiritual Beast Cave, the furniture had almost been set by Yu Qingshuang, and it was at least livable.

After placing his things down, Chen Qing said, "Brother Wang, you have some combat ability, ask Brother Zhou Ke to stay here with me for a few days too."

Wang Ye cupped his hands, "Alright, I'll go call Brother Zhou right away!"

In the evening, Zhou Ke and Wang Ye returned. When Wang Ye came, he brought several cranes for their escape.

Chen Qing sat in the grand hall of his new cave, staring outside through the open door. On the other side of a long iron chain bridge, Yu Qingshuang sat at the bridgehead with her sword, constantly vigilant against the outside world.

As night fell, Chen Qing didn't feel the slightest hint of sleepiness.

The three two-person high cranes were also nibbling at things, their legs constantly moving, showing signs of restlessness.

He instinctively sensed that the sect was being exceptionally cautious in its protection of him. At night, he'd seen a cloud of mist sweeping over a nearby mountain peak.

It should have been Feng Qi.

As dawn broke, an entire night passed, leaving Chen Qing somewhat dazed.

Was it just ending like this?

At that moment, he suddenly saw Yu Qingshuang move, she got up and walked to the other side of the bridge, looking for a long while.

From down the mountain, chaotic sounds emerged, "A fire started!"

"Someone lit a fire!"

Yu Qingshuang watched for a while before crossing the bridge, "Junior Brother Chen, if enemies attack this place, join me in battle, then ride the cranes and leave!"

As a tinge of warmth rose in Chen Qing's heart, he nodded resolutely, "Alright!"

At this moment, he was almost devoid of combat ability, and staying here would only cause trouble.

After a brief half-hour, Chen Qing clearly saw Yu Qingshuang a few times wanting to draw her sword and rush out, but eventually, she held back.

Chen Qing looked up towards the mountain top on the iron bridge, already lacking the image of Feng Qi.

Seemed like Feng Qi had acted.

Those Lotus Cave scums actually understood a bit of strategy.

First, they set the mountain on fire to attract Wuyou Mountain's attention, and then they dispatched a squad to launch a surprise attack.

As the newly promoted owner of the Grass Spirit Butterfly, and with low cultivation, he naturally became the focal point for hostile forces.

But unfortunately, Feng Qi saw through it.

In the past, Chen Qing occasionally wondered what it would be like if he had chosen the sword Gu.

After training with Yu Qingshuang, he no longer entertained such thoughts.

Why should his few days of practice be compared to others' efforts of more than a decade?

From afar came the occasional cutting sound of a sharp sword slicing through the sky, resounding for only about ten breaths before fading away.

That day, Chen Qing didn't go to his duty, staying in his cave where he could faintly hear senior and junior brothers chasing down those disguised Lotus Cave disciples in the distance.

The next day, when Chen Qing was heading to his post, Yu Qingshuang stayed by his side to prevent Lotus Cave members from harboring ill intentions.

Yu Qingshuang said, "Once this period passes, it should get better."

Chen Qing said, "Is it because Lotus Cave failed this time?"

Yu Qingshuang nodded, "For a sect to have someone like you, it needs to possess enough strength."

"And yesterday, our Wuyou Mountain has proven that we have this qualification."

"Even without Brother Ye, we can still protect our disciples in production roles."

"Are we still practicing sword today?"

Chen Qing said, "Naturally, we are."

Swordsmanship is something that requires step-by-step progress.

Hearing that Ye Yuntian would return in the next few days, Chen Qing originally planned to wait in the market at the foot of the mountain to welcome him directly at Bright Moon Tower.

Unfortunately, the current situation was unstable, so he gave up on the idea.

He tended to the injuries of disciples from the War Affairs Hall and Shadow Hall, significantly bolstering his reputation among Wuyou Mountain disciples.

Chen Qing returned to his cave dwelling and watched the beautiful figure, tirelessly guarding outside his cave, secretly cursing at the Lotus Cave scums who would inevitably face their doom.

After removing the wine gourd from his waist, Chen Qing drank the last mouthful and sat cross-legged to cultivate.

Upon finishing cultivation and opening his eyes, he cursed those scoundrels for leaving him with no Spiritual Ginseng Wine to drink, truly deserving death.

Whenever he left, Chen Qing could always see patches of bloodstains around the sect, gradually turning black as time flowed, then disappearing from view.

As the bloodstains faded, everyone gradually returned to normalcy.

Using the pretext of inspecting the Spirit Plant Garden, Chen Qing carefully searched beside an iron tree, conveniently plucking an Iron Tree Bud for 'researching its medicinal properties.'

Chen Qing felt that his 'itchy hands' trait was getting increasingly severe.

Returning to the Spirit Plant Hall's quiet chamber, Chen Qing fed a Wine Treasure an Iron Tree Bud and began meditating.

After finishing his cultivation, he checked on the Wine Treasure's condition.

One Iron Tree Bud could increase the progress by 7 points.

Not too much was needed, but unfortunately, Iron Tree Buds were quite costly, selling for thirteen low-grade Spirit Stones each outside.

"About one hundred and seventy-two low-grade Spirit Stones, I'll ask Senior Sister tomorrow to buy some at the market."

After feeding Iron Tree Buds for five days, the Wine Treasure's progress rose to 56 points.

Hearing the news of Ye Yuntian's return, Chen Qing tidied up the Spiritual Field early, finished his duties, and waited not far behind the mountain gate.

In the evening, Chen Qing finally saw Ye Yuntian returning.

"Junior Brother Chen, I really put in a lot of effort this time!"

Surrounding disciples said, "If we don't get treated to drinks at Bright Moon Tower, it's hardly acceptable."

Chen Qing said, "I was planning to wait for Brother at the mountain market, but given the recent unrest, I waited here instead."

"Brother Ye, I've already arranged a welcome feast at Bright Moon Tower, let's go!"

An indulgent delight.

Drunk and tipsy, Chen Qing returned to his cave dwelling, closed the door, and looked at the palm-sized jade jar in his hand.

[Mortal Sword Gu]

Quality, Fourth Transformation

Life Span, 12/42

Effect, Converts nine strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi.

Growth Requirements, Ancient Sword Remnants

Growth Progress, 41/100

Promotion Requirements, Ninth Transformation, one Sword Gu, three strands of Geng Metal Qi, at least one three-hundred-year-old Green Snake Gallbladder

This Sword Gu, unlike the other two, was incredibly lean and emitted a sharp aura.

This was my first Combat Gu, and from now on, it would help safeguard my life.

Drawing a blood rune proficiently, as the pale silver Sword Gu flew to his hand.

Chen Qing finally felt a sense of tranquility.

No longer would he be a passive producer among cultivators.

Finally, he grasped a bit of self-preservation ability.

Joining his two fingers as one, a wisp of Sword Qi arose at his fingertips, stepping out of the cave to gently slash at a nearby fragment of stone.

That fragment, like tofu sliced by a knife, effortlessly split into two halves, with knife-like reflective cut surfaces.

"Truly impressive!"

"No wonder they say Sword Cultivators are the most powerful in killing and fighting!"

To be able to wield such terrifying power upon contracting, did the Iron Skin Gu really have any use?

I'll have to find a way to get a Fog Gu.

Now, he clearly understood his advantage; as for Swordsmanship or Sword Dao, he couldn't compare with those immersed for decades.

His advantage lay in overpowering!

With the strength of Gu, overcoming power with one force!

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